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Two fertilizers are applied to randomly selected potato plants. After several weeks, the potatoes are weighed. The weights in kilograms are as follows. Which fertilizer is generally more effective?

Fertilizer A: 27, 20, 16, 18, 22, 19, 23, 21, 17, 19
Fertilizer B: 28, 19, 18, 21, 24, 20, 25, 27, 29, 21

(1 point)
Responses

Fertilizers A and B are both ineffective, because there is no difference in the ranges of the weights of the potatoes.
Fertilizers A and B are both ineffective, because there is no difference in the ranges of the weights of the potatoes.

Fertilizer B is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes that were treated with it are higher.
Fertilizer B is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes that were treated with it are higher.

Fertilizer A is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes treated with it are higher.
Fertilizer A is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes treated with it are higher.

Fertilizers A and B are equally effective, because the ranges of the weights of the potatoes are the same.

1 answer

To determine which fertilizer is generally more effective, we should calculate the mean and median weights for each fertilizer group.

Fertilizer A: Weights: 27, 20, 16, 18, 22, 19, 23, 21, 17, 19

  • Mean: \[ \text{Mean} = \frac{\text{Sum of weights}}{\text{Number of weights}} = \frac{27 + 20 + 16 + 18 + 22 + 19 + 23 + 21 + 17 + 19}{10} = \frac{ 27 + 20 + 16 + 18 + 22 + 19 + 23 + 21 + 17 + 19 = 202}{10} = 20.2 \]
  • Median: First, we arrange the weights in ascending order: 16, 17, 18, 19, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27
    The median is the average of the 5th and 6th values (19 and 20). \[ \text{Median} = \frac{19 + 20}{2} = 19.5 \]

Fertilizer B: Weights: 28, 19, 18, 21, 24, 20, 25, 27, 29, 21

  • Mean: \[ \text{Mean} = \frac{28 + 19 + 18 + 21 + 24 + 20 + 25 + 27 + 29 + 21}{10} = \frac{ 28 + 19 + 18 + 21 + 24 + 20 + 25 + 27 + 29 + 21 = 212}{10} = 21.2 \]
  • Median: Arranging the weights in ascending order: 18, 19, 20, 21, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29
    The median is the average of the 5th and 6th values (21 and 24). \[ \text{Median} = \frac{21 + 24}{2} = 22.5 \]

Summary of Results:

  • Fertilizer A: Mean = 20.2, Median = 19.5
  • Fertilizer B: Mean = 21.2, Median = 22.5

Since both the mean and median weights for Fertilizer B are higher than those for Fertilizer A, we conclude that Fertilizer B is generally more effective.

Answer: Fertilizer B is generally more effective, because the mean and median weights of the potatoes that were treated with it are higher.